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49ers superstar calls undrafted teammate 'a freak'

49ers superstar calls undrafted teammate 'a freak'

USA Today26-06-2025
The San Francisco 49ers have had a lot of talent on their roster over the last few years, so for someone like George Kittle, who is among the best that San Francisco has had, to be impressed by a rookie, that says a lot.
However, this year, Kittle has really enjoyed working with undrafted rookie wide receiver Isaiah Neyor throughout organized team activities and mandatory minicamp.
'He's a good kid,' Kittle said on a recent appearance on 'Bussin' With The Boys' with former NFL players Taylor Lewan and Will Compton from Tight End University. 'I like him. He's a freak.'
Neyor, 24, was a two-star recruit out of Lamar High School in Arlington, Texas before committing to Wyoming. After two years he transferred to Texas, and two years later, he transferred for one final season at Nebraska.
In his collegiate career, which was severely impacted by injuries, Neyor appeared in 33 games, catching 87 passes for 1,595 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also earned second-team All-Mountain West honors for a 44-catch, 878-yard, 12-touchdown campaign with Wyoming in 2021.
What caught Kittle's eye early was the wide receiver's athleticism.
'I watched him, he was running a route and he got like 9 1/2 yards in two strides,' Kittle said. 'I was like, 'Holy [expletive].' It was insane. We watched it like 10 times in the tight end room. We were like 'How is he doing this?' '
At the NFL Scouting Combine, Neyor posted a 38-inch vertical and ran a 4.40-second 40-yard dash, and that type of athleticism could be really helpful for an offense looking for someone to step up at wide receiver after they traded Deebo Samuel and with Brandon Aiyuk recovering from a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus.
If Neyor can show out in training camp and preseason, he may carve out a spot on the roster and a role in the offense as a rookie.
More 49ers: Young 49ers wideout going into 2025 with the mindset of a WR1
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The 49ers need wide receiver help. Here are 31 options, from most likely to least
The 49ers need wide receiver help. Here are 31 options, from most likely to least

New York Times

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  • New York Times

The 49ers need wide receiver help. Here are 31 options, from most likely to least

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers are poised to go shopping following the NFL's cutdown deadline Tuesday, and wide receiver is in bold at the top of their list. Three of the team's top six players at the position — Brandon Aiyuk, Demarcus Robinson and Jordan Watkins — aren't expected to be available for Week 1, while the other three — Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing — have dealt with injuries at some point this summer. Cowing did not practice Wednesday, and Pearsall appeared to narrowly avoid injury after a collision in the end zone. Advertisement Which players might be available when teams trim their rosters from 90 to 53 players? We asked beat writers from coast to coast to name the best wideout their team could cut on Tuesday. There's no guarantee all of the names below will be available to sign or claim off of waivers, but all are on or near their squad's roster bubble. San Francisco is also monitoring the trade market, The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported. We've divided the list into four groups, ranging from players who would at least grab San Francisco's attention to those who are no better than the current 49ers receivers, whom they could likely land on their practice squad. All 31 teams are listed. Kendrick Bourne, New England Patriots: This will be the name that most excites 49ers fans — and perhaps head coach Kyle Shanahan — given Bourne's productive four-year tenure in San Francisco. He also had his most prolific season (800 yards and five touchdowns) with Mac Jones and the Patriots in 2021. It's easy to envision a scenario in which Jennings and Pearsall begin the season as the starters with Bourne playing out of the slot. Bourne, 30, could be the odd man out should New England go with a younger core at the position. Could the 49ers trade for Bourne if the Patriots don't release him? They might look at that closer to the trade deadline when the team's murky receiver outlook is clearer. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Seattle Seahawks: New offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak likes Valdes-Scantling, with whom he also worked in New Orleans. The question is whether the 30-year-old veteran will be happy with a backup role in the Seahawks' receiving corps. If not, Seattle could release him, making him a candidate in San Francisco. Valdez-Scantling still has deep speed as shown by his 22.6-yard receiving average last season and he'd be able to quickly step into the 49ers' offensive system given his background with Kubiak. Other Seahawks who could be available include Dareke Young and perhaps special teams ace Jake Bobo. Advertisement Dante Pettis, New Orleans Saints: Before you freak out — Shanahan loved Pettis' route-running ability. He wasn't as happy with the 2018 second-round pick's toughness, which is why Pettis was cut midway through 2020. Like the players listed above, Pettis would be able to get up to speed quickly given his background with Shanahan and Kubiak (2024 Saints). He also returns punts. Veteran Donovan Peoples-Jones also could be available. Curtis Samuel, Buffalo Bills: There's at least some chance the oft-injured Samuel will be available in some form — trade or release — over the next week. Though he's underachieved since arriving in Buffalo last year, the 49ers might like his versatility, including being able to take snaps at tailback. Robert Woods, Pittsburgh Steelers: Woods' numbers have steadily dropped since he had a 1,134-yard season with the Rams in 2019. But the 33-year-old would be familiar with the offense, having spent five seasons under one Shanahan lieutenant, Sean McVay, and two under another, Bobby Slowik (Houston, 2023-24). Woods could be a reliable bridge to when Robinson and Aiyuk return. Malachi Corley, New York Jets: The 49ers hosted Corley on a pre-draft visit last year, and he was drafted in the third round by Robert Saleh's Jets. He remains raw as a receiver, but his ability to break tackles will remind some of Deebo Samuel. Another one-time Saleh favorite, Xavier Gipson, also could be available. Courtney Jackson, Denver Broncos: Like Corley, Jackson is a developmental player, though one with special teams value along with impressive quickness. The rookie ran a 4.38-second 40 — with a 1.5-second 10-yard split — in the run up to the draft. Mitchell Tinsley, Cincinnati Bengals: Tinsley made a splash on national television Monday with two catches for 73 yards and two touchdowns. The question now is whether the Bengals keep him, cut him or try to trade him. MITCHELL TINSLEY HAVE A DAY!!!! #CINvsWAS on @espn — Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) August 19, 2025 Justin Watson, Houston Texans: He's never been prolific, but Watson, 29, has 21 starts (including playoffs) for the Chiefs over the last three seasons. He also had 54 receiving yards against the 49ers in the 2023 Super Bowl. Ronnie Bell, Detroit Lions: Yes, yes, yes — we know his stint in San Francisco didn't go swimmingly (see: 2024 game at Los Angeles Rams). But Bell knows all three receiver positions and could get up to speed quickly. Advertisement Jalen Reagor, Los Angeles Chargers: He's the most experienced — 27 career starts — of the Chargers who might be available. Another possibility: Brenden Rice, son of Jerry. If Rice replaced Terique Owens as a 49ers developmental receiver, it would be … poetic. Trey Palmer, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Receivers who run 4.33 40s at 6 foot 1 don't grow on trees. Veteran Sterling Shepard also might be available next week. Diontae Johnson, Cleveland Browns: Johnson, who once had 107 catches in a single season, is on his fifth different team in the past 18 months and is expected to be cut. Of course, the 49ers would have to look into why the talent-starved Browns released him. Skyy Moore, Kansas City Chiefs: The 2022 second-round pick could be available due to a lack of production this summer, coupled with a crowded Chiefs receiving corps. David Moore, Carolina Panthers: He's a journeyman who's been dependable wherever he's been. Ryan Flournoy, Dallas Cowboys: Good speed plus good size makes him a worthy developmental prospect. Tyler Scott, Chicago Bears: A 2023 fourth-round pick who had 17 catches as a rookie but just one last season, Scott also has return-man skills. Terrace Marshall Jr., Philadelphia Eagles: The 49ers had Marshall on their practice squad for a month and a half last year. River Cracraft, Washington Commanders: Having played for the 49ers and Dolphins in the past, he'd be dependable on an as-needed basis. Xavier Smith, Los Angeles Rams: Smith's 38-yard punt return against the 49ers in Week 3 last year set up his team's game-winning field goal. His time with the Rams signals he'd be able to mesh quickly with the 49ers' offense. Malik Heath, Green Bay Packers: He's been a fill-in over his career, but he's got good size (6-3, 213) and is familiar with the type of offensive system the 49ers run. Advertisement Laquon Treadwell, Indianapolis Colts: He's a big-bodied receiver who always seems to latch on to a roster. The 49ers hosted him on a pre-draft visit way back in 2016. David Sills V, Atlanta Falcons Lucky Jackson, Minnesota Vikings Tejhaun Palmer, Arizona Cardinals Anthony Miller, Baltimore Ravens Phillip Dorsett, Las Vegas Raiders James Proche, Tennessee Titans Lil'Jordan Humphrey, New York Giants Erik Ezukanma, Miami Dolphins Trenton Irwin, Jacksonville Jaguars (Photo of Kendrick Bourne: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images) Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle

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